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“Aces of Trades” is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com or 740-328-8821.

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NEWARK — Ray Corliss’ philosophy is simple — when it comes to his electrical business, no job is too small.

In the 10 years he’s owned his own company, Electrical Solutions, Corliss has fixed lamps, installed generators and wired huge commercial buildings.

A master electrician, Corliss, 52, runs the business out of his Newark home with help from his wife Marla, who answers the phone and helps with the finances.

Working out of his garage and his SUV, Ray serves clients in Licking, Knox and Perry counties.

“I get by, but I’m not in the business to get rich, I’m in it to provide a service,” he said, “And there is a huge need out there.”

A Virginia native, Ray first was introduced to the electrical field in 1979 when he joined the U.S. Navy. He worked as a sonar technician, maintaining the electrical equipment for submarines.

When he left the Navy, he started a career as an electrician in California, working on businesses, homes, churches and various development projects.

Ray moved to Ohio in 1986 and moved to Newark after meeting Marla. He was working for Quality Electrics in Columbus in 2001 when he was laid off.

“I decided I’ll go back in and work for myself,” he said.

They started Electrical Solutions in 2003. Relying mostly on word of mouth, they developed a strong customer base, he said.

Although the business struggled during the economic recession, things have improved in the last few years.

“It’s been looking back up,” he said. “This year and this summer have been good so far.”

When helping customers, Ray said he tries to be as precise as possible.

“One thing you have to have is patience when you are talking about electricity,” he said. “You have to be very careful and have patience to take your time and think things out.

He’s also focused on safety, both for himself and for his clients, Marla said.

He works with many of his elderly customers so they can get the repairs they need at a reasonable price, she said.

“They still need the electrical aspect of their home taken care of,” Ray said. “If you don’t, it can be a dangerous thing in your home.”

Ray often gets calls from customers who need help fast, sometimes late at night. When severe storms hit last summer, he was busy for weeks helping clients get their power back on.

When he’s not working or spending time with his 13 grandchildren, Ray has to keep himself up to date on changing technology and codes. His goal is to learn more about green technologies.

“That’s the way of the future,” he said.

Ray said he always tries to encourage young people to get interested in the electrical field.

“It’s a great field to be in and it’s only going to get better and more high tech as the future rolls on,” he said.

Although he enjoys the technical aspects of his job, he also has liked getting to know his clients during the last 10 years.